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City Council approves eminent-domain step for North Valley police station site
Summary
The Los Angeles City Council voted to acquire a Mission Hills parcel by eminent domain for a planned North Valley police station, rejecting business and community pleas to seek alternative sites; councilmembers and city staff said funding and a design schedule are in place.
The Los Angeles City Council voted to authorize condemnation proceedings for a property at 11121 North Sepulveda Boulevard in Mission Hills to make way for a planned North Valley police station, the council said during its Aug. 9 session.
Council members and city staff told the council that the site has been vetted and that design work is underway. Project manager Nasir Deskander told the council that funding for the project has been identified through Proposition 2 and related capital funds and that schematic design is about 50% complete, with an intended opening in June 2003.
The motion to proceed with condemnation drew objections from the property owner and business representatives. Gary Kovacic, lawyer for Chrysler Realty Corporation, said the developer bought the site to build a minority-owned Chrysler dealership and had already spent “millions of dollars” on planning and reports. “If you take this property, the community will be deprived of ... 40 to 50 new jobs,” Kovacic told the council. Bob Beeler, real estate manager for Chrysler Realty, asked the council to “slow down” and seek alternate locations.
Business and industry groups also urged the council to consider other city-owned parcels. Duane Cody of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association wrote that parcels such as the former GM plant in Van Nuys should be prioritized before condemning active private commercial projects.
Supporters of the station said the site selection reflected a lengthy process and multiple feasibility reviews. Council members said the location is central to the area identified by the Police Department as needing an added facility. “This is the site that the city authorized general services to go in and begin negotiation,” Councilwoman Myszkowski said. Councilman Padilla called the site “almost ideal” for ingress, egress and freeway access.
Sergeant Patrick Macquarie, acting commanding officer of the Police Department’s Facilities Management Division, told the council that design is under way and that construction funding will come from the identified capital sources. Deskander said the project aims to open in June 2003.
The council voted to move forward with condemnation. The clerk recorded 12 ayes; the motion passed. Several council members urged city negotiators to continue outreach to impacted businesses and to be mindful of alternative sites where feasible.
Moving forward, council members said they expect the City Attorney and General Services staff to complete acquisition steps and to pursue design and community coordination. No final construction contract or schedule beyond the June 2003 target date was adopted at the meeting.
The decision follows prior city efforts to evaluate multiple potential sites over many months and reflects the council’s determination that a permanent North Valley police facility is a high-priority public safety investment.
Notes: The condemnation decision authorized staff to pursue acquisition; final construction timing and contractor selection remain subject to future Council approvals and budgeting steps.
